Sunday Reflections - ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR A

 

LIGHT FOR THE LIVING

ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR A

(Exodus 19:2–6; Romans 5:6–11; Matthew 9:36–10:8)

My beloved in Christ,

In a rural community in Adamawa State, there lived a kind old man called Baba Tukur. He was not the richest man in the village, nor was he the strongest. Yet whenever there was a problem, everybody somehow ended up at his compound.

If a roof collapsed during the rainy season, they went to Baba Tukur.

If two neighbours quarrelled over farmland, they went to Baba Tukur.

If a widow needed help harvesting her crops, they went to Baba Tukur.

One day, a curious young boy asked him:

“Baba, why does everybody come to you? Are you the village chief?”

Baba Tukur laughed.

“No.”

“Are you the richest man?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

The old man smiled and pointed towards the village square.

“My son, look carefully.”

The boy looked.

He saw a blacksmith repairing a broken hoe.

A teacher helping children read.

A hunter protecting farms from wild animals.

A nurse treating a sick child.

A trader distributing food from the market.

An elderly woman comforting a grieving neighbour.

Then Baba Tukur said:

“Do you see? God did not give all gifts to one person. He gave different gifts to different people so that everybody can help somebody.”

The boy nodded slowly.

Then Baba Tukur added:

“The problem is that many people spend their lives asking, ‘What can the village do for me?’ instead of asking, ‘What can God do through me for the village?’”

The old man’s words spread through the community faster than harmattan fire.

 

Chosen for a Mission

My beloved, today’s readings teach us something very important.

Many people think that being chosen by God means receiving special privileges.

But Scripture teaches that being chosen means receiving responsibility.

In the First Reading, God tells Israel:

“You shall be my treasured possession among all peoples… a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5–6)

God did not choose Israel so that they could boast.

God chose them so that they could become a blessing to the nations.

Likewise, Christ chose His apostles not because they were the most educated, the richest, or the most qualified.

Some were fishermen.

One was a tax collector.

Others were ordinary men from ordinary backgrounds.

Yet Christ called them, formed them, empowered them, and sent them.

 

The Compassion of Christ

Saint Matthew tells us:

“At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

This verse reveals the heart of Jesus.

Before Christ preached, He cared.

Before He taught, He loved.

Before He sent the apostles, He was moved with compassion.

The Kingdom of God begins when we see people not as burdens but as brothers and sisters.

 

The Harvest is Abundant

Jesus then says:

“The harvest is abundant but the labourers are few.” (Matthew 9:37)

Many people hear this and immediately think only of priests, religious, bishops, and missionaries.

Certainly, it includes them.

But it also includes every baptized Christian.

The vineyard of God is larger than the sanctuary.

It includes homes.

Schools.

Hospitals.

Markets.

Courtrooms.

Government offices.

Farms.

Construction sites.

Universities.

Workshops.

Every place where human beings live and work.

 

God’s Gifts Are Meant for Service

One of the great truths often forgotten today is that God never creates anybody without purpose.

Every person receives gifts from God.

Some receive courage.

Others receive wisdom.

Others receive compassion.

Others receive leadership.

Others receive technical skill.

Others receive the ability to teach.

Others receive the ability to heal.

Others receive the ability to organise.

Others receive the ability to comfort the suffering.

Consider the many ways God serves humanity:

·         The soldier uses courage to protect the weak.

·         The doctor uses knowledge to heal the sick.

·         The lawyer uses legal expertise to defend justice.

·         The teacher uses wisdom to educate the young.

·         The farmer produces food for society.

·         The trader distributes goods where they are needed.

·         The engineer designs structures that improve human life.

·         The administrator manages institutions for the common good.

·         The priest ministers to souls and proclaims salvation.

None of these gifts were given merely for personal gain.

They are gifts entrusted for service.

The world becomes beautiful when everyone offers what he has received from God.

You give what you have.

I give what I have.

Together humanity flourishes.

 

Freely You Have Received

After calling the apostles, Jesus gives them a remarkable instruction:

“Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” (Matthew 10:8)

This does not mean that people should never earn a living.

Saint Paul himself worked as a tentmaker.

Rather, Christ is teaching that the gifts of God should never become instruments of selfish exploitation.

A doctor should not forget compassion.

A leader should not forget service.

A teacher should not forget truth.

A priest should not forget souls.

A businessman should not forget justice.

The gifts of God are meant to bless humanity.

 

Christ Died for Us While We Were Still Sinners

Saint Paul reminds us:

“God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Notice something beautiful.

Christ did not wait for us to become perfect before helping us.

He loved us first.

He sacrificed Himself first.

He saved us first.

Therefore, our service to others must not depend on whether they deserve it.

Christian charity begins where human calculations end.

 

Light for the Living Today

Back in Adamawa, Baba Tukur understood something many people forget.

A village prospers not because one person possesses every gift.

A village prospers because each person contributes the gift God has given him.

The same is true of the Church.

The same is true of society.

The same is true of the world.

God’s will is not only that we worship Him.

God’s will is also that we become our brother’s keeper.

Like Abel should have been to Cain.

Like the Good Samaritan was to the wounded traveller.

Like the apostles were sent to be to the world.

The question is not whether God has given you a gift.

He has.

The real question is:

How are you using it to make the world better?

 

Sunday Reflection

My beloved,

The Israelites, like us, were chosen to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

The apostles, though unworthy, were also chosen and sent with authority by Jesus Christ to proclaim that “the Kingdom of God is at hand” while attending to the needs of the people without charge.

We who have been redeemed by God’s grace are equally the labourers chosen and sent into the Lord’s vineyard to be agents of the Good News, reconciliation, hope, healing, compassion, and light.

Let us embrace this responsibility and make a difference in the world.

May God bless you.

Happy Sunday.

Rev. Fr. Chinedu Ibearugbulem, C.S.Sp